Biomimicry, a relatively new an innovative approach to product design, is starting to become popular. Visit the Biomimicry Institute to find out more! Then watch this TED Talk: Biomimicry in action and Biomimicry's surprising lessons from nature's engineers by Janine Benyus.

Read this Smithsonian Magazine article for more ideas about this new concept. What can we learn from a butterfly? Watch Biomimicry and Butterflies to find out. Then, watch this slideshow of fourteen inventions inspired by nature! Architects have even gotten into using nature as a guide for the design of buildings and roads. Watch this TED Talk and learn more!

Does this sound like something you might be interested in? Check out the annual Biomimicry Global Design Challenge and get moving! Take a look at some of the past winning designs here. Share the idea with your teacher and challenge your class to a biomimicry design contest. Use this toolbox to get started! Need some ideas of what to look for? Go to asknature.org!

This TED Ed Select might add to your inspiration: 
Building the Seed Cathedral: Thomas Heatherwick

Be sure to share your ideas in the discussion section of this lesson!